The LowDown On Yarn Stashes

You know how it is!

You begin your crochet adventure with a ball or two of yarn. The things have a bad habit of multiplying, overnight . Its like buying a guinea pig or hampster. You start out with two and while I am not sure what happens with those little creatures during the night, before you know it your house is overrun with them.

Yes, there are the few people with amazing skills, who only purchase enough yarn for each individual project. I do question this. Surely they end up with part balls, or may over estimate by one, or two, or three, as to how much they will need! Maybe they are yarn hoarders in secret, hiding the truth from the world.

Of course having a huge stash does have its benefits! During the covid period of past few years, with random lockdowns and not being able to physically shop, I didn’t have to stress that my yarn fetish would need to be placed in check. The lockdowns could have lasted till the next decade at least, before it would have become an issue for me.

I have tried to downsize my stash by giving away bags full of skeins that I knew I would never use, to those who crochet for charity, BUT to the untrained eye and on viewing my stash, one would refute this claim.

The struggle is most definately real!

I do blame the yarn for creating the problem.

How can the yarn be the problem, you ask? Well it goes a little like this:

I decide to sort my yarn and downsize. I begin sorting through the containers, drawers and various other places that store this.

There is that gorgeous yarn that has been discontinued. One day I will surely find a design that requires just that amount. If only I had at least one more ball of it. Best thing to do is stop for just a minute and see if anyone online is now destashing any!

Nope, no one has any but I did manage to purchase a dozen skeins of this gorgeous purple angora that I just know I will use.

Back to the downsizing of the yarn stash!

Half an hour later.

Mmmm I have a few of these and really must use them. They are the perfect colour but I don’t much like working in that yarn. But the best course of action is to keep them, as they should be used. I don’t want to be wasteful!

Oh my, this is so soft. Wish it wasn’t in variegated colours, as I seldom work in that. I will use this, for sure.

30, 31, 32, 33…………………. gee I do have quite a lot of Stylecraft Special Dk. I don’t work in that all that often , so how did that happen. Oh, yeah, I bought that lot to design a blanket and then didn’t. This lot was supposed to be a shawl that I never got around to. Oh well, I will use this one day! I had best get a couple more in several of the shades to be sure I have enough!

Oh, 2 cakes of Whirl in Tangerine! Woo Hoo ! I forgot I had this. Oh, I wish I had remembered. I just did a blanket in oranges in Hobbii Sultan. Probably shouldn’t do orange again for at least a few months. Best remember where this is. for later

Maybe I should sort the yarn in colours! What a great idea. I will just start sorting again.

Owwhhh, how yummy is this hand dyed skein. I wonder what hook I should use for that? It will only take a minute to make a crochet square and test this gorgeous yarn out. Oops, I made five!

And as the sun begins to set………..

Where did that time go?

The yarn stash really doesn’t seem to have diminished at all.

Oh, well, tomorrow is another day! Perhaps I will downsize tomorrow!

I am a yarn hoarder and it has been 0 days since I last purchased yarn! But today it was only 4 balls of Bendigo Woollen Mill Luxury and my need was great!


Just for fun!

I have published this before, but here it is again!

A helpful guide to managing your yarn stash Hobby/addiction/disorder/problem!

And so the journey begins!

You decide to take up a hobby and get creative! Crochet sounds good, doesn't it? You begin to search online for helpful tutorials and join a group of like minded beings who can guide you on this wonderous journey.

DAY 1: THE CHANGE BEGINS. After reading up on what you need to begin, you head to your LYS and frugally select a ball of yarn and a hook.

Day 3: After a couple of hours spent with your new hobby you decide that you don't have the necessary supplies in order to continue on this wonderful JOURNEY! Heading back to the yarn store you decide to treat yourself to several balls of yarn in several different colours. These will be all you need!

Day 13: By now you are feeling a bit masterful of this new hobby and feel that you need to expand your knowledge further. New stitches must be tried. None of the yarn you have is going to work. Back to the LYS you go and spend 2 hours fondling the yarn and exclaiming how wonderous it is. You end up selecting a trolley full of the wonderous fibre. You also stop and buy a number of storage containers to keep these treasures safe.

Day 21: You now belong to at least a dozen online groups for crochet. You have started trawling marketplace web groups and find several posts about private yarn sales which you feel you must attend. You rush to the address and manage to beat an elderly woman in a walking frame to the huge yarn collection and even though she is crying you know your need is greater. You also spot a tasteful yarn tote (which you ripped from the grip of the previously mentioned old ladies fragile grasp) so you can now take your crochet with you wherever you go.

Day 25: Today is dedicated to ensuring your yarn pattern library is equal to the yarn stash and 5000 patterns is NOT too much. You also managed a few hours of crochet and taught the whole family to NEVER, NEVER speak when you are counting.

Day 28: The last stage of metamorphosis. A few days back you discovered online yarn stores and very sensibly took out a loan from the bank to purchase while the yarn happened to be on sale. The truck arrived today with all your yarn. The metaphorphis is now complete.

Disclaimer: No elderly ladies with fragile hands were harmed in this journey, although some harrassment of yarn delivery drivers did occur!

Do You Like CALS? Do you love Dragonflies?

Do you like CALS?

Do you love Dragonflies?

What about a CAL with Dragonflies?

Today part 1 of The Secret of the Dragonflies blanket, has gone live.

10 Weeks of fun

Part 1 is available on Ravelry right now. Part 2 will land in two weeks time.




Find the CAL (here), and (here)

Right: Just a few of the amazing makes from my pattern testers.

Auburncrafts Mandala Comet

Auburncrafts Mandala Comet is my third foray into the area of wall art design.

With everything that I create, I try to be unique. I want those who use my patterns to look at what they have made and say ‘Wow, I made that!’

The stitches used in the design are simple. The challenge is working from bobbins for the colour changes over the 8 rounds that utilise this.

The next couple of months will be a busy time for me, with the launch of my very first CAL in the next 10 days. Do keep an eye out for this and if you are not already a member of my dedicated facebook group, do join.

The CAL will be run through both Ravelry and my facebook group.

In the meantime, amuse yourself with your own copy of Auburncrafts Mandala Comet Pattern. Head to my webpage to view some of the beauties created by my pattern testers.

Dragonflies N Ivy Wall Hanging Mandala

Introducing Dragonflies N Ivy Wall Hanging Mandala.

I have discovered that designing wall hangings can be fun!

I did enjoy designing this piece. Dragonflies dance amidst the Ivy to create a unique piece that would give any wall a lift.

Despite exclamations of perfection (mostly coming from ME), I am not perfect. I am creative, but quite capable of errors.

This piece was a bit of a bear for my hard working pattern testers. I had a lot going on behind the scenes when I designed and wrote this. This translated to a number of what I like to call my ‘Boo, Boo’s’. Thankfully my pattern testers are amazing and found their way through the maze of Boo, Boo’s and this beauty is ready to go!

You can view my testers makes on my webpage dedicated to this piece.

The hours that have gone into getting this piece from idea to launch have been in the hundreds. I really hope everyone loves this piece as it does have a lot of heartache poured into it, due to the difficult time over which I designed it!

I made this piece twice. First with Scheepjes Whirl in Shrinking Violet and then in Durable Colour Cake in Licorice Layer Cake. Any yarn similar to this will work for the piece. It uses one Cake!

Enjoy!




Dragonflies on my Mind Head Warmer

More Dragonflies!

And these ones are FREE!

This is a simple pattern that works up super quick. Each head warmer has three dragonflies spaced around it.

Head to my webpage to see some fantastic makes from my pattern testers.

You can also find the FREE PDF to download there. This is available in both UK and US Terminology.

But please do take just a moment to pop over to ravelry and favourite the pattern there. This is a small thing, but really does make a huge difference to my ability to keep designing.

Beware! The Dragonflies are on the March!

I have so many dragonfly designs! How many dragonflies designs? Heaps!

Let’s face it. One can never really have enough Dragonflies. Simply an impossibility!

Naming all of them can sometimes be tricky. What to call this one? Mmmmm.

I passed the task of naming this new design to my husband. He felt it described the design perfectly!

And today the exitement is building! Why is this so?

It’s pattern launch day! March of the Dragonflies, is ready!

If you were wise and subscribed to my webpage, you will have received a pattern launch day code for use on ravelry. My subscribers always get the best discounts.

I am however feeling a bit generous today and am willing (truth be told, my CEO → told me I had too) to offer a 10% launch day discount to everyone else for use on Ravelry.

Use the code ‘generous’ on ravelry at checkout.

Looks like a sweetie, but don’t be fooled. Stella gets what Stella wants!

But best be quick. My generosity can only stretch so far and as soon as my CEO turns her back I am likely to end this. Yep, I am mean! Someone has to be!

For more information and links to the pattern (click here) to be taken to the webpage for the pattern.

Split The Difference Cowl Neckwarmer

I have decided that Jacob and his ladder really needed to move over and make room for AUBURNCRAFT’S LADDER!

Sure I have used Jacob’s basic technique. But Jacob didn’t think outside the box with their ladder. I have!

No one really stated that this ladder needed or, had to be used in a certain way. Therefore it was up to ME to find a new way to use it! And I have!

Click the image to be taken to Ravelry

Split The Difference Cowl Neckwarmer is a relatively quick make. I used quality Bendigo Woollen Mill Aran Luxury for this. It used just over one ball to create a neckwarmer that can fit an averaged sized neck. The size can be adjusted by working extra repeats across a row and/or more rows.

The end result is a twisted look to a basic Cowl/Neckwarmer, with a luxurious feel to it having used the BWM Luxury. You can get 50% off the pattern on Ravelry only for a very limited time. See the picture with the code for use here! Do take the time to pop the pattern into your favourites to show it some love!

Just one more BALL!

I am sure we have all been there!

You decide to create something and head to your yarn stash.

If you happen to be anything like me, this is a rather daunting task with a stash that could easily be seen from outer space if stacked corrrectly.

After digging through the mountain of these unused (but nevertheless precious) yarns, you spy a few balls of yarn that you purchased a while back. You remember that you had purchased several more balls (just to be sure you had enough) not all that long ago. You proceed to tear the yarn stash apart to find them.

Eureka, there they are! This is plenty for a blanket for sure!

Yes, this yarn will do nicely. I like this yarn. This yarn will work and this will be brilliant. How fortunate that I have so much of it. It pays to be prepared!

The project is begun with a lot of enthusiasm. Working away you use 1 ball, 2 balls, 3, then 4 and at about this point you start to calculate the rate of usage and the amount of pattern left to create. Mmmmmm, is this an issue? Nah, it will all be fine. There is enough yarn to complete this for sure!

Ball 5 is disappearing fast and your mind is now more focussed on calculating over and over again just how much yarn is required to finish this masterpiece. The speed your hook is travelling is beginning to slow. It comes to a grinding halt.

You begin to look online for yarn suppliers. Oh, dear! This is now discontinued. This isn’t good!

Instead of crocheting you spend the next few hours trying to find someone, anyone who has a ball in stock (just in case of course, as you may still make what you have stretch just far enough).

Ah, a supplier with stock. The order for 1 ball is placed. Back to crocheting.

What is THAT in my inbox. They have refunded me. What the……..yarn out of stock. How can this be? What is wrong with them? They clearly stated they had stock.

You run back to your project and again recalculate how much yarn is needed to complete. The amount has not by some miracle changed. Back to trawling through the internet to find that one ball. You start to beg online in social groups.

Please Sir/Madam, can I please have some more.

Surely you have one ball somewhere that you could spare?

You have another sleepless night plotting revenge against all yarn manufacturers who discontinue yarn lines when they must know you will be needing some in a few months time.

Then you remember where you purchased the last few balls of this yarn from. Yes, they have some. But wait! How can they possibly be on holiday? Do they really expect me to wait 5 weeks to get one ball of yarn? How dare they!

Work continues on the blanket. Ball 6, 7, 8. 9…. One ball remains. The rows are again counted. Maybe, just maybe I could make it. But would I have enough yarn left for the designated fringe, I have planned? Mmmmm.

Only one way to find out!

And so the crochet continues at a rather frantic pace. The blanket is completed with a bit left, but will it be enough to add that fringe?

A lot of thought is put into the length of this fringe, how many strands of yarn should be used? How far apart can these be spaced without looking odd?. Calculations. More calculations.

You hopefully begin placing the fringe.

One end of the fringe is done!

Looking at the other end, dread creeps in. There seems no way that this bit of remaining yarn will stretch that far. But then your eyes land on those ends still to sew in. Some of these are rather long.

This could work!

The ends are carefully sewn in and every scrap of yarn that could be saved put aside.

Back to adding the remaining pieces of fringe.

Success!

I have never, ever finished a blanket with zero yarn left, but today I ticked that one off my bucket list.

I don’t need that extra ball of yarn and never did.

What was created from this yarn you ask?

Nope! You will have to wait. It is now in testing. I will say it features my signature dragonflies and it is pretty spectacular!

Remember to subscribe to this blog for discount codes and notifications on pattern launch days!

Add a comment! It costs nothing! Be nice though!

Dragonflies For Dee Wall Hanging

Dragonflies represent many things.

Vitality, poise and beauty. They can be a sign of future changes, and a sense of harmony in relationships.

I always find myself smiling and my mood improving, when I am lucky enough to spy a dragonfly going about its day, totally oblivious of the worlds troubles and trials.

Dragonflies have become my signature design focus and while this is my first attempt at a wall hanging, it will not be my last.

I set about creating this beautiful piece as a gift for my daughter and was very pleased with the results. I loved it so much that three proto-types in various yarns, were produced during the design process.

The first wall hanging was created with Yarnart Flowers in blue shades as I felt my daughter would appreciate these colours. This yarn was ideal for a wall hanging and the final result was brilliant,

The second of three, I chose to use Scheepjes Whirl in Turquoise Turntable. This colour was chosen with another relative in mind. The Whirl is just slightly thinner than Yarnart Flowers but it worked well and the same size hook was used.

Number three was made as another gift and Hobbii Sultan Deluxe from my sizable yarn stash, in the colour Baltic Amber was used. I love working in this yarn and I feel that of the three this one was my favourite.

My amazing pattern testers used varying yarns with some incredible results and their works can be viewed on the dedicated pattern page via the webpage button below.

You can also find other relevant information about the pattern and some places to source hoops.

North South East West Forget-Me-Not Blanket

No matter the path you walk, North, South, East or West, my heart is with you. Never forget that!

Forget-Me-Not Flowers can represent many things. They are for remembrance of a loved one who is no longer with you. A friend separated by distance or illness. Or a special love! They can be a symbol or declaration that you will not forget a person on separation no matter the reason. A reminder of connection and precious memories

Do you love a bit of filet crochet?

Join the Forget-Me-Nots as they travel to the North, South, East and West.

Basic stitches are used to create this beauty. But while the stitches are basic don’t be fooled! This pattern is not as simple as it may look. There is no obvious repeat to the pattern as these flowers are on a quest. They move as they travel heading north, south, east and west. Each round is written and there are photographs to help along the way.

A colour block graph is used to chart the main body of the pattern and a symbol graph to show the border. You can find information on colour block graphs in my how to section on my webpage. Click on the photograph to be taken to the webpage for links to the pattern.

A Cat in Contemplation Cushion

Do you love cats? Or maybe know someone who does and need a super fast make for the holiday season?

My latest design uses Aran weight yarn and a 5mm hook. It is designed to compliment, A Contemplation of Cats blanket.

I find crochet cushions can be annoying when it comes time to wash them. Well this cover is removeable and designed to fit a 50cm/19.6 inch pre-made cushion of contrasting colour, making this a much more practical cushion.

2022 is slowly drawing to a close and this is the second last design of the year for me. I do have a blanket to release in the next few weeks though and that will be me done for the year.

2023 is sizing up to be super amazing! I have a couple of dragonfly designs already being run through their paces with the design team. I know it would be bragging to say these are most likely my best ever dragonflies but I will say it anyway. Cos, these are pretty darn good! If you are not a subscriber to my webpage you will miss the discount codes and notification of launches!

I will leave this post with some words from T.S. Eliot.

When you notice a cat in profound meditation, the reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: His ineffable effable, Effanineffable, Deep and inscrutable, singular name.  T.S. Eliot

A Cat in Contemplation Cushion

A Contemplation of Cats Blanket

Quickkkkkkk I Need a Fast Make For TOMORROW!

Fast and Fabulous Makes

Click on the buttons right for the webpage for each.

I know I have been there!

I remember my precious darlings often neglected to pass on the information that a small gift was needed for a school THING until the night before.

Or perhaps you are a tad forgetful and suddenly remember the new person at work, that you are required to do a Secret Santa for! Or a million other scenarios that creep up on you at this time of year!

Don’t be too hard on yourself as I know I am guilty of forgetting the odd thing now and then.

It will all be okay! These are super fast to make and many of them even use scrap yarn.

Some of the selected makes are free and some are paid patterns, with the majority on the free side. The cost for the paid patterns is minimal and hey, a girl has to eat. And with that in mind, don’t forget I do have a Buy Me a Tea button on most webpages as the dog does love her biscuits too!

Christmas Treat Bag

Christmas is looming closer in a rather scary way!

Click on the picture to be taken to the webpage for this. See the button for the limited time code.

I am starting to feel the need to race out and buy plum pudding ingredients!

The list for who I need to buy things for is spinning around in my head. I am of course ignoring it! After all, I do have crochet to do and that is far more important.

But hey, why not combine the two things!

With that in mind I have created a little treat bag. This is no ordinary bag as it uses linked stitches. No prying eye will gain a peek into this little beauty. Inside could be chocolate or small toys or any wonder of things small enough to fit inside!

The last code giveaway was received quite wel,l so I will do similar again, but please do take the time to favourite this on Ravelry. ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THOSE WHO DOWNLOADED THE LAST PATTERN DID SO! This is a small thing but makes a huge difference to me.

This pattern is free for the first 40 people to use code found on the front homepage of my webpage. After the 40 free patterns have been redeemed you can use the second code to get 15% off. Again this is for a limited time. Click the button above for the my main webpage where you can find the codes.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PATTERN ON RAVELRY

If you are feeling incredibly generous, you can buy me a cup of tea. The button for this is also on my webpage.

Chicken Kisses Ornament Applique

I don’t know about other people, but sometimes my crochet hook just seems to have a life of its own!

Chicken Kisses Ornament/Applique

.

You walk into the room and hear this faint noise and realise it is coming from your favourite crochet hook. It’s begging you to pick it up. Apparently IT has this incredible idea and just wants to create!

This is what happened with this little ornament.

I picked my hook up and the next thing I knew, a chicken was staring at me!

I whipped this little darling up in no time (with the help of my insistant crochet hook).

FEATURES:

Reversible

Can be made from scrap yarn.

Could be used as an ornament or just making one side, an applique.

Fast to make.

Fun (It’s a chicken so how could it not be fun!)

————————

I then had a bit of a quandry as to whether this should be a paid pattern or not. Sure it is small and works up fast, but that darn pattern ended up being a lot to write up!

Of course I never make my life easy, as I did graphs and special stitches etc. And sure I don’t really need to eat… but in the end I decided that the dog does love her doggie bickies and so a few cents towards those would make her very happy! BUT, I am going to give quite a few away FREE ON RAVELRY (FOR A LIMITED TIME). A code will be available on the front page of my webpage. If you hurry you may be lucky enough to gain this little chicken pattern FREE! Click the button above for the my main webpage where you can find the code.

But please do pop it into your favourites on Ravelry. It would make my day to get to number 1 on Raverly maybe once this year, even if it is only with a chicken! Please DO NOT tell my crochet hook that, it tends to get offended easily and is rather puffed up with its efforts on this one!

If you are feeling incredibly generous, you can buy me a cup of tea. The button for this is also on my webpage.

Thank you to all! And please don’t vent your disappointment if you miss out on the pattern for free. My generosity only stretches so far and then I turn back into the grinch I really am!


Remembering Grandma Bed Scarf

For my latest design I’ve stepped into my very own time machine and headed back to the days when Grandma always made a colourful rug of squares for your bed.

Remembering Grandma Bed Scarf ©

Many people my vintage will have recollections of the masterpieces that Granny produced. My Grandmother used to make rugs of knitted squares. She would crochet around them and then join. Usually always bright colours, with black used for the edging and joining.

The comparision ends there as I have a slight adversion to joining and do try to avoid it in most of my designs. What this mean is that this bed scarf is one piece. No joining squares anywhere to be found. And while you don’t need to be a Grandma to enjoy this simple design, it does help to have an understanding of linked stitches and colour change.

The beauty of linked stitches is the dense pattern they produce. You don’t get any of those gappy holes in your work and it is rather simple to master.

The final touches for this piece are the lacy edge on both ends and the large tassels.

This pattern has instructions for Twin, Double, Queen and King sized beds.

Click on the picture right ➤ to be taken to the dedicated webpage with links to Ravelry and Etsy. There you will also find yarn quantities, measurements and view my pattern testers works to gain an idea of different looks that can be achieved.

20 Minute Crochet Bookmark

Do you like Cats?

I am a bit on the agnostic side of this question. Don’t get me wrong I love all animals, but I had decided a number of years back that I did not want another cat.

I did not however factor in the insistance of one small black cat now named Billy Thunder. He moved into my house of his own accord and I do love him, but he was not invited. He just demanded in a very strong manner that he was now living in what he apparently considered his house. If you would like to read the story of Billy Thunder my cat, you can find this in my blog posts!

But back to the reason for todays blog. If you love crochet makes that take 20 minutes or less, then this is for you!

Some of my amazing pattern testers bookmarks. Nancy McKain, Trish Perry, Michelle Westwood, Colleen Harris, Sue Pfer, Mirjam Annaars, Denise Thomas

This cat bookmark is super fast and super cute. It is available as a free download on my webpage and Ravelry, just cos I am feeling generous! You may be wondering at your good fortune. Did I wake in a good mood and decide to be benelovent? Or maybe I got too much sun yesterday!

Not to worry either way as the good fortune is yours and I hope you love Cat’s Meow Bookmark!

Do you have eagle eyes? And perhaps love vintage books from way back when!

Take a good look at the book in the picture. This was given to my by a great Uncle many years back and is from the 1800’s. It has some real gems on relationships and the way a lady should behave in these. It is one of my treasured possessions!





And the Topic for Today is ME!

Stella, overlord and boss.

Just a bit of useless information you probably don’t want to know!

Things have been a bit quiet of late as far as launching patterns, but rest assured as I have 3 in testing right now! So in the meantime a random blog post about nothing important seemed in order!

  • I crochet!

    Yes, of course you probably knew that! Did you know it is mainly my youngest childs fault! He does a rather dangerous sport as a profession and I found myself needing something to distract me during those times when he is competing.

  • I can’t count!

    Well in reality I can count but with three patterns in testing at present, you could ask my very patient pattern testers to take a secret poll as to whether or not they thought I could count, and I am pretty sure what the results would be.

  • I am not the boss of my crochet business!

  • My crochet business is really run by the overlord that presides within my house. Oops I mean her house! Her name is Stella and she is the brains of the business. She spends hours literally pawing over the designs to ensure they are perfect! She is a real tyrant! (See picture and you can judge).

  • I don’t like green!

    If you didn’t know that one then you must not have read any of my prior blog posts. Green only exists to make Purple look really great. Ask any Jacaranda tree and they will tell you it’s true!

  • I don’t do video tutorials of my crochet!

    No one wants to suffer me for an hour or two or three whilst trying to crochet one of my patterns. For one I refuse to do my nails all pretty for a video and I would most likely swear way too often!

  • I am a part time model! Insert hysterical laughter here!

  • I do, in fact, grudgingly model some of my shawls. The reason for this is that it is easier to do this than try to organise someone to do so.

    My husband is a great support in taking the time to try and get just one decent photograph of a new shawl. In many of the pictures it can be 35 celcius where I live and so my mood is often not all that spectacular when out in the sub-tropical weather wearing a shawl etc. And trust me, I have no skills at modelling what so ever!

  • Many of my designs feature dragonflies!

  • This just makes sense to me. Dragonflies are amazing and I love to bring them to life in my designs. The feedback I get on launching a dragonfly make tells me to keep doing them.

  • I once had a whole ball of yarn unravel on a plane during take off.

  • Yes it’s true. The ball had fallen off my lap and worked its way towards the tail of the plane many rows back. On discovering it was missing I looked down and realised my problem. I turned to look down the aisle and saw the male flight attendant still seated centre of the aisle for take off. He had an armful of yarn he had gathered up. Oh the embarrasment of watching him slowly work his way back up the aisle, winding that ball of yarn as he went.

  • I don’t do crochet requests or orders .

  • Nope, never, no way, not gonna happen! I crochet and design what I like. Begging won’t help! A huge bribe may sway me a bit, but I am not interested in making things to order.

  • I tend to work in ordered chaos.

  • It’s true.! If you think designers have it all together and it is all sunshine and roses when producing a design, think again. This designer usually has hooks and yarn in a tangle and a very needy cocker spaniel on her lap. I manage to lose my crochet hook, tapestry needle, ipad and pretty much everything all the time.

  • I have dozens of designs graphed out and ready to make.

  • Ideas pop into my head at the strangest times and I find myself drawing and graphing. Some of these things I even have the yarn all ready to go. I just need more time.

  • I enjoy writing blog posts about nothing much at all.

  • I do. But you are reading it! Life is at times tough enough, stressful enough and not everything (in my opinion) needs to be serious. There is enough of that each day as it is!

    So if you enjoy reading my nothing blog posts, please do subscribe and I can promise to bore you with more! Don’t forget that subscribers receive the best discount codes on launch day!

    The next pattern launch will be in 12 days times!

  • PS. Guess whose blog is now in the top 15 Australian blogs on Feedspot! MINE!

Click the picture to be taken to Feedspot

Click on the picture for the pattern.

Pantone Colour of the Year, VERY PERI!

Designed by macrovector / Freepik"

I see most articles/blogs etc write such positive words on colour choices and how one must follow this rule, or that, for the perfect colour selection. That is all fine if you would like to follow these examples, but not for me. This is just my views on colour selection.

Just who is this Pantone and why do they think they know all?

Well from my simple understanding they are the colour guru’s of the world. Companies come to them for their predictions and forecasts in global colour trends. Each year they decide/predict a colour and we are meant to rush out and swap all our worldly possessions to this colour. Sounds like a great marketing ploy for some!

I do personally think this is not really a thing. I most certainly will not be changing my taste in colours just because they say a colour is the ‘thing’ for that year! And if they really think I am going to make a point of designing in the colour green as that is the ‘it’ thing for that year, well everyone had best not place a bet on that one!

Sometimes of course they do get it right and this year I will bow to their intelligence with the choice of the colour Very Peri, which is basically the colour purple.

What they had to say:

2022

Very Peri is a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone. Futuristic in feeling and encouraging inventiveness and creativity, Very Peri blends the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red. A brand new shade, it's the first time Pantone has created a new colour in the history of its Colour of the Year forecasts.

Well if it is vivifying then of course I am on-board with it. One just has to be really!

*I have a pattern in testing right now which features this colour. The pattern will be released early next year. Possibly as a CAL!

But let’s have a look at a few other choices from not so long ago!

2021

Illuminating and Ultimate Gray

Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity; a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power.

Ultimate Grey quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience. The versatile grey shade resembles pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time.

They were a little undecided in 2021, or maybe they had a fight over which colour should be the thing, as they had two colours. How could one not feel the need to purchase yellow and gray!

I could do with some illuminating and a bit of quiet assurance!

2020

Classic Blue

An expansive presence, Classic Blue is evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky opening a world of possibilities.

I don’t mind a nice blue and especially love cars in the colour blue. I do, at times choose to design in blue and in fact have a design on the hook right now in this colour. The fact that it was colour of the year in 2020 did not really help me make that decision.



2019

Living Coral

Living Coral is an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energises and enlivens with a softer edge.

Certainly sounds pretty good doesn’t it! I can live with the colour Living Coral, but lets just say its orange and be done with it. I do like a nice orange!



2018

Ultra Violet

A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us towards the future.

Any year that is dubbed to be purple is a good year as far as I am concerned, so of course they will get a huge thumbs up from me on that one! I will even swoon dramatically and maybe a bit provocatively if needed.

2017

Greenery

A refreshing and revitalising shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings.

Really! Are they mad!

This in my humble (yeah sure) opinion was a bad year. Greenery, Yuck! Yes, all year I had to fight the urge to rush out the door and buy everything and anything in Green. Sure!

But how do you decide what colours to use when you are wanting to start a new crochet project?

There are so many webpages that cater to helping others select colours. They tell you how to successfully use a colour wheel to select your colours.

Tips on how the colours such as: black will diminish other colours and white will set them apart as a feature. I guess this method can work for some, but you would never find me bothering with them. I find black can be a great tool to make other colours the star of the show.

And as for asking others to help such as friends or LYS staff………well that is great if you happen to want a creation in the colours that they like, but I want something I would like.

Colour charts have their place but I am not really going to use them. But if they are for you, then all good.

Colour is personal!

Colour is a very personal thing to each of us and I gravitate towards purples and oranges. Dislike green and red with a passion, don’t mind pinks and am agnostic towards many other colours. And that is okay! My motto is that you should be you and choose what you like and I will continue to be me!

Colour perception is emotive!

Colours have a way of drawing a person in. They can evoke emotions on a wide spectrum and this is very individual for all.

Colour is in the eye of the beholder!

Ask any crochet designer and they will tell you that a design can transform and change visually, with each and every colour selection. What I may like and think is perfect, others may hate. If a colour brings you joy, then that is for you.

Some tips to selecting colours:

  • Look at natures Kaleidoscope of colour. It changes depending upon region and weather. You just have to look at a snowy landscape with a few bare spots, or maybe a snow covered tree. These can be your colour palette.

  • Or perhaps an Autumn day with the beauty of the trees in varying colours. The reds of a Japanese maple or the yellow of a Liquid Amber tree.

  • The ocean on a stormy day can have an array of colours.

  • Or a rainbow after a shower

  • Use the colours of flowers. Flowers are clever and they always get colour combinations right. When you think of a garden with a multitude of flowers, the colours always mix and match so beautifully together. And I will even admit (although don’t quote me on this) that green has it’s place in many of these scenarios!

  • Art work can also be an inspiration and show you what colours will compliment each other.

  • Life in general is full of colour and inspiration can be found in even the strangest places!

See what yarns call to you:

  • Place yarns together and see how they make YOU feel. No one elses opinion really matters (unless you happen to be making the project for someone else). I know the Scheepjes whirl are often yelling my name when I enter a LYS. The purples are usually the loudest!

  • You may want to feel bold with colours that hit you in the face or subdued with neutral colours. Or even monochrome with simple black and white.

    Decide what emotions or feelings you may want to create from your design/project piece:

  • Colours can be calming or exciting and there are so many different articles on what emotions each colour is meant to illicit but it does depend upon what you read. They can vary. Take yellow for example. Depending upon what you choose to read or believe yellow can portray, happiness, sunshine, jealousy, cowardice, sickness, mental illness, warmth, hope, youth or even freshness. That certainly is a selection! I could mention the varying meanings of so many colours but if you want that information, there are a million places at your fingertips that will tell you what a colour is meant to make you feel.

  • I say to use your own thoughts on this one and go by what the colours make YOU feel.

    But most of all be brave in your choices and selections. It is your project and colour selection is an extension of you!

  • But if you do want GREEN, GREEN, GREEN then maybe for me you had best just keep moving along! Just joking!

    Links to the patterns in the pictures:

  • Dragonfly Labyrinth Blanket (click here)

  • Vintage Bouquet for Bethany Blanket (click here)

  • Autumn Snowdrop Keyhole Headwarmer (click here)

  • Bouquet for Bethany Blanket (without the embroidery) (click here)

  • I Wish I Were a Butterfly Blanket (click here)

  • A Solitude of Flowers Shawl (click here)

  • Granny’s Gone Bohemian Shawl (click here)

  • Tirari Desert Flower Ruana (click here)

    You can find all the information about the yarns used etc on the designs featured via the links above.

  • I hope you enjoyed reading my take on Pantone colours!